Lentil Stew: A Rookie Mom Favorite
If you're a mom, especially a new mom, you are completely aware of how
little time there can be to cook at home. Once we had children of our
own, Wona and I gained a new appreciation for shortcuts in the
kitchen. Recently, we caught up with Rookie Mom Whitney Moss about some of her family-friendly and kid-compatible tips
at mealtime. Whitney and her best friend Heather, both moms of two
small children, are the co-authors of The Rookie Mom's Handbook, full of great tips and fun activities for the first year of motherhood
(hint: it's a great baby shower gift!) (shameless promotion hint: you
could even throw in a cookbook!). Whitney also gave us her Lentil Stew recipe, which is one of her daughter's favorites. The Trader Joe's ready-made Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper soup is a wonderful, silky base for adding black beluga lentils and diced colorful potatoes. If you haven't had black beluga lentils before, they are tiny, shiny black lentils that are mild in flavor and beautiful in a soup or as a garnish. They're named after their likeness in appearance to beluga caviar. Trader Joe's sells them fully cooked, bagged, and ready to go (you can also buy them uncooked at most health food markets such as Whole Foods). At my TJ's, they're shelved near the rice and grains; they're not refrigerated like the Steamed Lentils (which are green lentils). Using cooked lentils is a great shortcut, not to mention the nutritional upgrade it gives the soup. Read on for more of Whitney's tips and her Lentil Stew recipe:
Deana: What are your favorites at Trader Joe's?
Whitney: I shop at Trader Joe's frequently. I believe they carry more
healthy snack foods that I feel good about feeding my kids than my
regular grocery store. Also, the prices are much better.
Deana: What is your single most important bit of mealtime advice for new moms or busy families?
Whitney: I believe that no one, especially new moms or working moms should
be too hard on themselves when it comes to mealtime. We should
celebrate the shortcuts we take instead of beating ourselves up for not
doing more from scratch. That's what I love about the spirit of your
book, Deana!
Deana: Any tips on cooking with/for kids or keeping them occupied while you cook?
Whitney: My kids love "washing dishes" so I put a stool in front of the
kitchen sink and give them a few plastic items and wooden spoons with a
big pot of soapy water. It keeps them near me, but busy. It makes a
mess, but it's just water.
Deana: Favorite food or meal of all time?
Lentil Stew
1 (32 oz) carton of Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup
1 (8 oz) bag of Fully Cooked Black Beluga Lentils
1 1/2 cups of diced red, gold, and purple potatoes (any kind will do) (or use 1 1/2 cups frozen Roasted Potatoes)
1. Combine all ingredients in a small pot or saucepan, and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes (or until potatoes are tender).
Posted by Deana Gunn at January 15, 2009 
Categories: Vegetarian and Vegan , Announcements Fun and Contests, Food Recipes
Categories: Vegetarian and Vegan , Announcements Fun and Contests, Food Recipes
Hey there! Nice interview with Whitney. My favorite TJ specialty from your book is the tortilla soup. Yum!
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I know what you mean, ladies. It's hard to find the time to cook AND to keep everyone occupied AND to cook something everyone likes. I don't think I cooked for a while after my first baby was born! Right now the peanutty noodle dish is the favorite at our place.
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I love using Trader Joe's boxed soups. They're so handy, great for a quick meal on a cold winter night. This sounds like a great healthy alternative to those salt-laden canned soups!
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I used to be a Rookie Mom like 25 years ago! I had a giant drawer of Tupperware for the kids to play with. As soon as they were old enough - probably 6- I made them help in the kitchen. I shopped at TJ back then for all that I could and now they shop there too. They are great cooks.
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What a great fast recipe. I had a bit left of TJs Harvest Grains Blend, and add it to the soup, Yummy!!!
Perfect for a cold, gloomy day like today!
Thanks ladies!
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Love the ideas for things I have not tried before - always inspiring! Never would have thought of using the red pepper and tomato soup - makes it beautiful and easy!
I tried mine sans potatoes - not a big fan. Instead added onions, garlic and brown rice. Going to be a staple in our house - so good!
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I tried it again today, with potatoes, and onions and added some little pasta, elbows, yummy!
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